"TheOnelectronic" (theoneelectronic)
05/15/2015 at 16:33 • Filed to: None
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"TheOnelectronic" (theoneelectronic)
05/15/2015 at 16:33 • Filed to: None | 3
| 28 |
...thinking RWD is better than FWD in the snow?
I keep seeing people talk about how FWD is better for snow, but I just don’t feel it.
Maybe it’s just because oversteer doesn’t really bother me, but understeer really does. That and you need to left-foot brake in a FWD car to get any sort of control in the snow, and my FoST doesn’t let me do that.
Or you can just go really slow, but WHO WANTS THAT.
TheHondaBro
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:35 |
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AWD > FWD > RWD
BeaterGT
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:36 |
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Depends on your driving ability and what you learned to drive in the snow first. Since I took 2 RWD cars through several NJ winters I feel just as comfortable with an RWD car as my current AWD car.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:37 |
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you’re wrong.
Sorry it’s a fact.
left foot brake to control FWD? dafuq?
I drove my FWD Milan with (badass) all seasons on it last year through all kinds of snow. I have never used my left foot in it.
Milky
> TheHondaBro
05/15/2015 at 16:38 |
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TheHondaBro
> Milky
05/15/2015 at 16:39 |
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What? In snow, I’d rather have FWD than RWD.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:39 |
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I feel way better with a RWD.
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Milky
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:40 |
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RWD is best drive for snow.
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Milky
> TheHondaBro
05/15/2015 at 16:42 |
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Have fun with that E-brake.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:42 |
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If you are, in fact, a wizard, RWD offers the ability to control the resistance behavior demanded of both front and rear wheels on the fly, while FWD is less good for that (handbrake cleverness notwithstanding). It also makes for a front that rides lighter rather than bogging down, sometimes. Most people find easier loss of drive traction, no available power at the front wheels to “tug” the nose, and stronger tendency toward wild screaming oversteer to outweigh those factors.
If I’m not mistaken, old Beetles are pretty great in the snow until you get into trouble. (Indeed, “Orloved”.)
HammerheadFistpunch
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:42 |
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Maybe....it depends on more variables than driven wheels?
itschrome
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:44 |
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The real factor that would break this is where you live. If you live in a flat area yeah, sure RWD will be just fine come the snow season. So long as you have traction, but that’s true of any configuration. How ever start adding elevation changes and you’ll find that the RWD push gets you no wheres. FWD pulling is way more effective and stable in the snow to start with and introduce elevation changes and its effects double.
of course in the most extreme of areas this is where AWD shines. The truth of the matter is tires and skill are usually 80% of the factors that cause weather related accidents. the other 20% is split up to actual weather and other drivers.
Takuro Spirit
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:44 |
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Depends on the driver and application.
My ‘95 Neon with all seasons was better than my Camry on snow tires in the snow.
RWD is a helluva lot more fun though.
shop-teacher
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:45 |
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It’s easier to get moving in the snow with FWD, but with RWD you have the option of using the throttle to help steer/correct in turns. I prefer RWD in the snow to FWD, but it does require more “work”. Most people prefer FWD in the snow because it’s easier/more idiot-proof.
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shop-teacher
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/15/2015 at 16:46 |
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I’m glad those Generals worked out for you. I wish they made a version of them in the size my truck takes.
LongbowMkII
> HammerheadFistpunch
05/15/2015 at 16:48 |
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Madness.
AM
> itschrome
05/15/2015 at 16:50 |
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I beg to differ. I had a ‘98 540i way back in the early-mid 2000s and it never had an issue going up 2 of the steepest hills in my city. My wife's Focus could barely make it up either hill this past winter with brand new Blizzaks on it.
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AM
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:53 |
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I prefer RWD in the snow, makes you feel like you have more control since you can use the throttle to help steer. Requires a little more work than FWD but it still feels better. I drove our Focus one time in the snow this past winter and it was enough for me to not drive it again while snow was on the roads.
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> shop-teacher
05/15/2015 at 16:53 |
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I’m going to be honest man, they’re epic.
Thank you again for the recommendation I tell everyone (I think they just killed them off though, discontinued).
I remember the guy at Belle Tire saying “So why do you want the General’s so bad?”
they’re cheap and they kickass, why wouldn’t I?
BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:55 |
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FWD, RWD? None of it really matters as much as weight over the driven wheels. RWD 911 or Beatle? Better than a RWD BMW, probably a bit worse than a FWD Saab 99 (because the weight is also over the wheels for steering and for the majority of stopping).
The only difference in drivetrain really is with an AWD car each tyre has to deal with a smaller percentage of the power required to get you moving so more traction :)
Dr_Watson
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:57 |
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Depends on weight bias really. If you’ve got 50/50 balance FWD has no advantages and only negatives.
jariten1781
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:58 |
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It may be for you, but not for most. In mixed traction events most people can’t react appropriately to oversteer. It’s also why the rule of thumb is to put chains or the tires with the best tread (if you’re running a mixed set) on the back regardless of your drive wheels.
Luc - The Acadian Oppo
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 16:58 |
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Winter tires are WAY more important than what wheels are actually driven. At what point will people start to realize that?
“I need AWD because it snows” *drives AWD car with bald all seasons ends up in a ditch and can’t figure out why* “I have AWD how is this even possible?”
Case in point: 425hp RWD MANUAL V8 + Winter Tires = Unstoppable!
WiscoProud
> TheOnelectronic
05/15/2015 at 17:48 |
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I’m with ya. I did many winters with both FWD and RWD. On a FWD once you lose traction you can’t steer or move, with a RWD you can at least steer. RWD comes in most handy when you need to make a 90 degree turn from a stop, like at an intersection. A FWD car will just be stuck, whereas a RWD can mash it and steer with the rear end.
Full disclosure none of these vehicles I owned had traction control, which may be an entirely different beast. But I do know that two years ago my wife preferred my Xterra in RWD more than her Sportage with FWD. Although the duratracs likely had a lot to do with that.
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WiscoProud
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/15/2015 at 17:50 |
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My guess is he was referring to "poor man's traction control" with the left foot braking. Basically you apply some brake pressure so that the wheel with traction gets power too. This is basically what most traction control systems are, just more advanced.
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shop-teacher
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/15/2015 at 19:26 |
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Great to hear! They’re probably just introducing a new version of it. Tire companies seem to do that a lot.
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> WiscoProud
05/16/2015 at 11:11 |
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My traction control can be a pain in the ass, especially when deep snow is involved. I turn it off and do better (again with no left food brake, this seriously cannot be a necessary step)
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> shop-teacher
05/16/2015 at 11:12 |
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They did great through the winter with deep enough snow that I was helping push out neighbors cars from their driveway.
It’s always good to hear when you recommend something and it works out, so enjoy it haha
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WiscoProud
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/17/2015 at 21:51 |
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The left foot brake is a technique for vehicles without any electonic aides. If tou have traction control, it does nothing but hinder you.